Citation

Haynes RD. Public Underst. Sci. 2014; 25(1): 31-44.

Affiliation

University of New South Wales, Australia; University of Tasmania, Australia R.Haynes@unsw.edu.au roslynn.haynes@utas.edu.au.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Institute of Physics in association with the Science Museum, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/0963662514535689

PMID

24916194

Abstract

The cluster of myths relating to the pursuit of knowledge has perpetuated the archetype of the alchemist/scientist as sinister, dangerous, possibly mad and threatening to society's values. Shelley's Frankenstein provided imagery and a vocabulary universally invoked in relation to scientific discoveries and technological innovation. The reasons for the longevity of this seemingly antiquated, semiotic imagery are discussed. In the twenty-first century, this stereotype has been radically revised, even overturned. Scientists are now rarely objects of fear or mockery. Mathematicians, both real-life and fictional, are discussed here as being representative of scientists now depicted empathically. This article examines possible sociological reasons for this reversal; what the revisionist image suggests about society's changed attitudes to science; and what might be the substitute fears and sources of horror.

Language: en